However, the specific individual who conceived the formula remains unknown.
From LaBelle, Florida for Hendry and Glades County and the Lake Okeechobee region. Don Browne, editor.
Saturday, April 05, 2025
Who Came Up With The Bizarre Tariff Formula This Week
However, the specific individual who conceived the formula remains unknown.
How Bizarre Tariff Math Affects Us
After much internet speculation, the White House confirmed the math behind U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs. Andrew Chang, in the above video breaks down the formula used to determine what each of the 180 countries owes, and explains why the math is misleading.
President Trump's administration used a specific formula to calculate the "reciprocal" tariffs announced on April 2nd. While the administration presented a complex calculation (watch the video to see how they played with a tricky formula to make it look scientific,) economists suggest it actually a simple calculation using the following steps:
Obituary - Priscilla Danielle Hallihan
Priscilla never met a stranger—her kind heart, vibrant spirit, and infectious smile made her a friend to many and a stranger to none. Whether at work or out in the world, she had a natural way of connecting with people, and her energy left lasting impressions everywhere she went. She was known for her signature bright pink Colombia shirts, a fitting reflection of the bold, joyful presence she brought into every room.
A devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend, Priscilla’s greatest pride was her family. She was a dedicated mother to her four beautiful children: Dustin Dimas, Jr., Briana Martinez, Allison Martinez, and Emma Martinez. Though she also experienced the heartbreak of losing her stillborn son, Dustin Dimas, she carried his memory tenderly in her heart.
Priscilla spent most of her working life in the restaurant industry, where her warmth and dedication were felt deeply. From Big V Restaurant in LaBelle to Forrey Grill and Bar, her work ethic and cheerful demeanor left a lasting mark on coworkers and patrons alike.
She is lovingly remembered by her mother Maria Luisa Garcia; father John Glen Hallihan and stepmother Mariela Hallihan; her longtime companion and the father of her children, Jose Martinez; and her cherished siblings: Aimee, Glen, Travis, Ledda, Kaela, Katelyn, Julissa, Audrey, Araceli, and Abraham. She also leaves behind her grandmother Alicia Mungia, as well as many extended family members and dear friends whose lives she touched.
Priscilla’s life, though far too short, was filled with laughter, compassion, and love. She will be remembered for her generous heart, her unbreakable strength, and the joy she brought to those around her. While her absence leaves an ache that words cannot fill, her spirit will live on in the memories we hold and the love she gave so freely.
May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with her son, and may her memory forever be a blessing.
Friday, April 04, 2025
James The Young Brown Pelican by Bob Kranich
James The Young Brown Pelican
by Bob Kranich
(Excerpt 7)
This is a new story. We are first introduced to James the young Brown pelican, and a young fellow who is sketching him on the docks of Key West. James is now going to do some soaring and go up the Keys. He meets a strange White pelican named Smilin’ Sam. Sam talks to James about life and Sam has now left to fly to Cuba. A big dangerous storm is coming.
James just stood there dumbfounded. Did this all really happen? Smilin’ Sam dropped in out of nowhere and now he is gone, just like that! (James didn’t know it, but God works in mysterious ways. He might have sent a pelican angel to guide him.) Smilin’ was right. The wind and seas were picking up.
James kicked his feet a couple of times, jumped up, and with a few strokes of his wings, he was airborne. Because the wind was now very strong, all he had to do was hold his wings out and he was pushed up into the wind currents. It was blowing from the East. There was definitely a storm on its way. It pushed him hard as he soared back towards Key West.
He saw ahead of him yet a little bit lower two pelicans that looked familiar. It’s Mom and Dad! James leaned to the left, dipped that wing and raised the opposite. He then dropped down and came abreast of his parents.
Hi Mom, hi Dad.”
“Hi James, so glad to see you. You heard about the big storm that’s on the way?”
“Yes, I sure did. Where are you going?”
“We’re going to Big Pine Key. Lots of the colony are heading there too. What about you James?”
“What about Grandpa?” James asked.
“He said that he is going to stay at his salt pond,” Dad said.
“I’m going to check on Grandpa first, and then I’ll be along. See you Mom and Dad.”
“Take care James.” they both said in unison, “We love you son!”
James flipped around and swooped up high with the wind pushing him. Down below he could see palm trees bending in the wind and dry palm fronds blowing off the palms. Every so often some faint rain drops blew across his face. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was out of sight behind low, dark, ominous –looking clouds.
James could see Grandpa’s salt pond up ahead. Down below on Roosevelt Boulevard the waves were beginning to crash against the shore. The rain was beginning to pelt his face as he touched down without even circling.
I hope Grandpa is alright he thought as he called out, “Grandpa! Grandpa!” His sounds blew away from him in the wind. Then he saw him a little ways from the pond. He was on a higher point in a pile of stumps and logs. James just hopped up, spread his wings, and let the wind take him right over there next to Grandpa.
“Hi Grandpa. You OK?”
“Hi sonny, how do you like my shelter?”
James hollered, “It looks like you will weather it out here just fine.”
“You take care and I will check on you after the storm,” James screamed, as his words blew away in the wind.
“Stay here and be safe with me James,” Grandpa yelled.
“No Grandpa, I have to do something. Bye.”
James was discerning an uneasiness in his spirit. He jumped up and the wind took him straight across the pond. He was pumping his wings for all he was worth. Then a force hit him and up he went, rain hitting him and wind pushing him. He soared straight up high over the island. It was pitch black. He could see a few of the city lights of Key West and just past it the Navy Yard.
It was then that he saw it. A red flare shot up. It was barely visible. He climbed way up and then dropped, glided, and soared towards it. The direction was in the Atlantic, south of Key West. He had lots of altitude, which helped him get out to it. When he got over the location he could see a large two-masted sailing ship, with one mast broken. The ship was leaning far over. Waves were washing over its deck, and the sails were ripped and blowing in the wind. He circled around it. He could see some figures clinging on to various parts of the boat.
The book is illustrated by watercolors, sketches, and photos, to include many photos by the great nature photographer, Ron Reznick.
Market Forecasts "Extreme Fear" - How Low Will We Go?
Recent Market Volatility: The stock market recently decreased significantly. Major indexes had their worst day since 2020. This was largely triggered by concerns over new tariffs announced by President Trump. This announcement was described as "the worst case scenario for tariffs" and was not fully priced into the markets. Dow Jones futures plummeted nearly 1,100 points (2.68%) on Friday morning.
The average market correction lasts around four months before a recovery begins.
Protests Scheduled For Saturday In SW Florida
Some nearby locations and times:
Football Hall Of Honor Opens In Belle Glade Museum
BELLE GLADE, FL. -- The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Football Hall Of Honor took place Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the Lawrence E. Will Museum in Belle Glade, Florida. Over 70 professional football players came from the local schools in this rural town.
The first NFL player coming from the Glades area and honored in the Hall of Honor is Lawrence "Larry" Chester (photo right). Soon to be 81 years old on April 14, Larry, a Lake Shore High graduate and Allen University grad made an appearance at the museum's opening ceremony Thursday. He was drafted to the Atlantic Falcons in 1967 and played for the Detroit Lions in 1968 as defensive cornerback. In those days, he started with a one-year contract with Atlanta for $15,000!
Larry worked for Ford Motor Company and now has homes in Michigan and Royal Palm Beach, Florida.
The Palm Beach county museum know as the "Museum of the Glades" features history of the rural area around Lake Okeechobee, the area now well known for growing vegetables and sugar cane and fishing around the Lake.
The museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the history and heritage of the Glades region, including Seminole culture, pioneer life, agriculture, and historical events. The Glades Historical Society oversees the museum.The museum's collection encompasses the Glades experience, with artifacts from early inhabitants, Seminole people, pioneers, and agricultural development. The museum is open Monday to Thursday, 10 AM to 3 PM, and closed Friday through Sunday. Curator is Cheryl Stein. The phone number is 561-914-6376. There is no charge for admission
Video and Photo by Don Browne - WPTV NBC5's Todd Wilson at the Hall of Honor; Larry Chester
Wednesday, April 02, 2025
Silvestre Angulo Arrested On Burglary Charges And More
World's Richest Man - What You Don't Know Of The Family History
The family history of the world's richest man reveals some facts that most people do not know. And how that history may be influencing Elon Musk's view of government and business. From a YouTube video by Democracy Now:
Elon Musk was born in 1971 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and raised in a wealthy family under the country's racist apartheid laws. The video claims "Musk's family history reveals ties to apartheid and neo-Nazi politics."
Chris McGreal, reporter for The Guardian, in an interview explains how Musk's "upbringing shaped his worldview, as well as that of his South African-raised colleague Peter Thiel, a right-wing billionaire who co-founded PayPal alongside Musk."
"Musk lived what can only be described as a neocolonial life," said McGreal. "If you were a white South African in that period and you had any money at all, you lived with servants at your beck and call."
Mother: Maye Musk (née Haldeman) – A Canadian-born model, dietitian, and author. She had a successful career in modeling, even appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 74.
Maternal Grandparents – Joshua Haldeman and Wyn Haldeman, who were adventurers and explorers. Joshua was a chiropractor and political figure in Canada before moving to South Africa.
Paternal Grandparents – Not much is widely discussed about them, but Elon’s father, Errol, claimed distant connections to diamond mining wealth in South Africa.
Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa (1971), and Musk moved to Canada in 1989 for university. He later moved to the United States, attending the University of Pennsylvania before launching his career in Silicon Valley.
Today, he holds citizenship in South Africa, Canada, and the United States.
Elon Musk's maternal grandfather, Joshua Haldeman, was an adventurous and politically active figure with strong ideological beliefs. Here are the key details of his political activities:
Haldeman was a chiropractor and an outspoken political activist in Canada.
He was a leader in the Social Credit Party, a populist and anti-central banking movement that gained traction in Canada in the mid-20th century.
He ran for office under the party’s banner, advocating for policies that aimed to limit the power of financial institutions and promote direct monetary distribution to citizens.
The Social Credit movement had anti-establishment themes, somewhat mirroring modern libertarian and anti-globalist sentiments.
In the 1950s, disillusioned with the political direction of Canada, Haldeman and his wife Wyn Haldeman moved their family to South Africa.
They were known as adventurous figures, even flying a small plane across Africa on expeditions.
His ideological leanings reportedly aligned with strong individualism and skepticism of government intervention.
Though Joshua Haldeman did not achieve significant political power, his anti-government stance, pioneering spirit, and skepticism of centralized control may have influenced Elon Musk’s own views on politics and business.
-Anti-Government and Anti-Banking Views
Haldeman was a leader in the Canadian Social Credit Party, which opposed centralized banking and sought alternative economic systems.
The party viewed banks and government-controlled economies as oppressive, promoting a self-reliant and decentralized approach to wealth distribution.
Musk has expressed similar skepticism about centralized control, particularly in his criticism of government agencies like the SEC, FAA, and Federal Reserve.
-Self-Reliance and Individualism
Haldeman believed in personal responsibility and self-sufficiency, which aligns with Musk’s push for independent problem-solving in business (e.g., SpaceX developing rockets in-house rather than relying on traditional defense contractors).
-Disillusionment with Canada’s Political System
After facing political resistance in Canada, Haldeman left for South Africa in the 1950s, feeling that the country was becoming too regulated and restrictive.
Musk has similarly criticized government overreach, arguing that bureaucracy stifles innovation.
Skepticism of Authority: Musk often challenges regulatory bodies, whether it’s Tesla vs. the SEC, SpaceX vs. the FAA, or Neuralink vs. the FDA. This echoes Haldeman’s distrust of centralized control.
Pioneer Spirit: Haldeman was an explorer who took risks—flying his own small plane across Africa, much like Musk takes on high-risk ventures like Mars colonization.
Tuesday, April 01, 2025
What You Don't Know About Donald Trump And Ambassador Joseph E. Davies
In 1985, Donald Trump purchased Mar-a-Lago and transformed it into a private club while maintaining a private residence there. Davies lived there with his wife. Trump later became its owner, and the property has become the President's Florida "Whitehouse."
There’s no clear evidence that Donald Trump has publicly expressed admiration for Ambassador Joseph E. Davies. However, there are some potential reasons why Trump might have found Davies interesting if he were aware of him:
Pro-Soviet Stance – Davies was known for his sympathetic views toward the Soviet Union, particularly Joseph Stalin, which could align with Trump’s controversial stance on U.S.-Russia relations.
Wealth and Influence – Like Trump, Davies was a wealthy businessman who transitioned into politics and diplomacy. Davies was the head of the first Federal Trade Commission.
Government Service – Both held significant political roles: Davies as an ambassador and Trump as President of the United States.
Interest in Foreign Relations – Davies dealt with U.S.-Soviet relations during a critical time, while Trump’s presidency was marked by high-profile dealings with Russia and other global powers.
Communication Style – Both were known for expressing strong opinions; Davies wrote extensively about his experiences, while Trump is known for his outspoken nature, especially on social media.
Media and Public Image – Davies wrote the book best selling book Mission to Moscow, which was later made into a film, promoting a pro-Stalin narrative of U.S.-Soviet relations. Trump, too, has been deeply involved in writing book, influencing media and shaping public perception and promoting relations with Russia.
However, Trump has never publicly mentioned Davies as an influence or someone he admires, but took the Davies Coat of Arms (granted to Davies in 1939) as a logo for the Trump Organization, changing "Integrity" to "Trump".
2nd Teen Arrested In Hallihan Murder Case
17-YEAR-OLD TEEN ARRESTED ON WEAPONS CHARGES
In the morning hours of Monday, March 31, 2025, Hendry County Detectives continued following up on leads in the shooting death of Priscilla Hallihan when evidence led them to an additional person of interest.
HCSO Detectives responded to the home of the juvenile person of interest where they executed a Search Warrant. During the search of the subject’s room, they located a black Gun box with the firearm’s serial number on it. Detectives also conducted a K9 search of the surrounding properties where they found personal items belonging to the subject as well as a black handgun with a matching serial number to the gun case found in the youth’s bedroom.
The 17-year-old male was taken into custody by Sheriff’s Office Detectives and transported to the Hendry County Jail. He was then charged on unrelated charges of Misdemeanor offense of Possession of a Firearm by Juvenile. The Juvenile male was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice where he is currently being held.
This continues to be an active investigation, and Detectives are continuing to look at additional persons of interest.
Hendry County Arrests This Week - Homicide, Drugs, DUIs
03/24/2025 – 03/31/2025
Felony – DUI
Maite Siberio, 54, Clewiston was arrested on March 24, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff H. Carranza on charges of Felony Probation Violation
Rosniel Betancourt Corrales, 35, LaBelle was arrested on March 24, 2025, by Sgt. L. Hernandez on charges of Battery by Strangulation
Samuel Leroy Handy, 68, LaBelle was arrested on March 25, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff C. Link on charges of Felony DUI – 3rd Violation within 10 years
Rene C. Puente, 20, LaBelle was arrested on March 26, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff D. Reaves on charges of Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill and Battery
Victor Manual Govea, 49, LaBelle was arrested on March 26, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff G. Willis on charges of Felony Violation of Probation
Terrance Roshawd Owens 27, Clewiston was arrested on March 27, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff A. Bell on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Trafficking in Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 3 counts of Contempt of Court
Juan Antonio Marquez, 49, LaBelle was arrested on March 27, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff I. Cadena on charges of Felony Failure to Appear and Violation of Conditional Release
Clayton Andrew Vaughn, 23, Lake Worth was arrested on March 28, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription
Rosa Maria Pulido, 66, Immokalee was arrested on March 30, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on DUI charges
Robert Billy Ramos, 43, Immokalee was arrested on March 30, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff D. Reaves on charges of Possession of Firearm by Florida Convicted Felon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misd. Failure to Appear and 2 Out of County Warrants
Miguel Sebastian, 68, LaBelle was arrested on March 30, 2025, by Deputy Sheriff I. Cadena on charges of DUI, DUI - Property Damage, DUI – Refusal to Submit to Alcohol Test
17-year-old male, LaBelle was arrested on March 30, 2025, by Detective K. Rosado on charges of Homicide, Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling, Use of 2-Way Communication Device to Facilitate Felony, Use of Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Tampering with Evidence and Attempted Homicide
Cornelius Lewis Ward, Sr., 45, Clewiston was arrested on March 30, 2025, by Sgt. E. Foster on charges of Aggravated Battery on Pregnant Woman